Code of Conduct

The Board of the US Sections of the Combustion Institute (USSCI) approved this
Code of Conduct, December 5th, 2018 for the purpose of the 11th US National Combustion
Meeting in Pasadena, CA. This document complements the Code of Ethics adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Combustion Institute, 23 March 2017.

The Western States Section of the Combustion Institute (WSSCI) is committed to providing
a safe environment for all its members free from unlawful harassment.
Harassment in any form, based on sex, gender, gender identity and expression,
sexual orientation, age, disability, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof),
medical condition, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics recognized by law,
is a violation of the Code of Conduct. Everyone should be treated with respect without
fear of discrimination, quid pro quo, or condescension whether blatant or via micro‐aggressions.
This policy applies to all members of the Combustion Institute and covers behavior that
takes place at any programs or activities related to the 11th National Combustion Meeting.

Reporting an Incident of Violation of the Code of Conduct

The WSSCI takes all reports of behavior prohibited by the Code of Conduct seriously
and encourages any individual who experiences or witnesses such behavior to report,
including anonymously, such violations to the Chair or the Vice‐Chair of the WSSCI,
including by email (conduct@wssci.us).
The WSSCI encourages the prompt reporting of such matters to ensure a timely and
constructive resolution.

The Chair and the Vice‐Chair will evaluate each report to determine the most appropriate
response, including both informal and formal responses. The desired response of the reporting
party will be taken into account but cannot be determinative of the WSSCI’s response.
In meeting with the reporting party, the Chair and the Vice‐Chair will explain that reports
will be handled with sensitivity and kept as confidential as possible to respect the privacy
of all parties.

Informal and formal responses are initiated to stop the prohibited behavior and prevent
its reoccurrence. Possible responses and outcomes include, but are not limited to,
issuing a warning to cease the behavior before further sanctions are pursued; separation
of the involved persons; exclusion from the remainder of the current and/or future programs
and activities; and, revoking membership. The WSSCI will maintain a written record of the
report and corresponding response.

Any person who experiences or witnesses prohibited behavior also has reporting options
outside of the WSSCI, including filing a report with their home institution or the police.

Retaliation

The WSSCI does not tolerate any kind of retaliation against an individual filing a
report or assisting in the resolution of a report of prohibited behavior (even if no
responsive action is taken). Retaliation is a violation of the Code of Conduct.
The WSSCI takes reports of retaliation very seriously. Anyone who experiences or
witnesses retaliation in any form should report it immediately to the Chair and the
Vice Chair.